Garden Guide

Dendromecon harfordii plant Water & Sewer Utilities promotes water-wise gardens and organic gardening practices to help reduce outdoor water use while safeguarding water quality. Locally native California plants require no fertilizer and need less water and maintenance than non-native plants, helping to

restore productive soil biology
strengthen local wildlife and plant systems
keep air and groundwater clean
support healthy ecosystems

Gardening Classes

The spring Landscape Class series hosted by Santa Clara Water & Sewer Utilities has finished. Visit the Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) website for remaining water-wise gardening classes this spring and early summer, or enjoy videos from previous BAWSCA classes.

Garden Product Tips

Organic is Best

Organic garden products boost plants naturally. They provide balanced nutrients in a way that mimics nature.

Conventional synthetic fertilizers:

promote fast, but weak growth
stress plants
need to be reapplied often
deposit salts and chemical residues
kill soil bacteria
pollute our water and air
can kill plants if used or mixed incorrectly

Choose Organic

Switch to organics: foster soil by restoring what has been lost. Organics, particularly composts, applied just a few times a year significantly improve soil nutrition. Healthy soil holds more water while nurturing the bacteria that support plants, meaning you do less to get more out of your plants, without pollution.

Mulch Now: Reduce Weeds

Geranium, flax and mugo pine in mulched bed Mulch conserves soil moisture and protects plants. Look for composted mulch (or compost your own!) to maximize water holding and reduce flammability.

Annuals: shredded leaves, aged wood chips
General landscape planting: aged wood chips
Unplanted areas: fresh or aged wood chips for weed suppression
Lawn: grass clippings. A mulching mower makes it easy to cycle water & nutrients!
Veggies: hay or straw (available at feed & pet shops), composted grass

The ideal thickness of mulch for suppressing weeds? 3-5 inches!

If you're looking to remove your lawn for a landscaping or rebate project, watch Valley Water's webinar: Sheet Mulching, Healthy Soil and Water Savings.

California Native Planting Tips

Plant Natives Differently

Fuss-free California Natives take particular handling during planting.

The Right Site

Natives need the sun or shade exposure they would have in nature.

Simply Soil

Use only the soil dug from the hole to plant.
Rocks and soil clods improve drainage; leave them in!
Skip compost/planting mix; excess moisture can rot roots.

No Tickling!

Natives prefer their roots undisturbed; don’t loosen the root ball.
Bucket soak at planting time (dip whole container in water).

Set Higher

For optimal drainage, plant with top of root ball an inch above grade, slightly higher for larger plants and several inches for trees.
If plant settles once watered, raise it by adding soil under the root ball.

Build Berms

A small ridge of soil encircling the plant keeps water where you want it.

No Fertilizer!

Use compost tea or emulsions of fish or, never conventional fertilizers. Even organic granular or liquid fertilizers can burn natives.
At end of summer and winter, water first, then apply emulsion using hose end sprayer; emulsions help with recovery from harsh seasons.

Irrigation System: Optional

Acclimated to California’s climate, many natives only need water to get them established.
Plant in fall to get Nature’s help with rain for establishment.
Know your native! Some do not tolerate any summer water and will die if watered.
For dry winters, hand water a few times to supplement rain. Deep soak monthly in summer if plants look stressed

Mulch

Use 2-inches or more of wood chip mulch, keeping it away from plant stems or trunks.
Leave leaves! Fallen plant debris acts as mulch and adds nutrients to soil.
Local tree care companies will often bring you free wood chips, saving them dump fees and giving you chips from one or two trees instead of from mixed sources.

Dead? No, Dormant!

We are accustomed to many plants going dormant or losing their leaves in winter cold; some California natives go dormant in summer, particularly after extreme heat.
Identify your summer dormant plants to avoid removing healthy plants!

Watering